Synopsis: Based on Ernest Cline’s bestseller of the same name, the film is set in 2045, with the world on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts decides to join the contest, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger. (Google)
Cast: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, Mark Rylance, Philip Zhao, Win Morisaki, Hannah John-Kamen
Screenplay: Zak Penn, Ernest Cline
Directed by: Steven Spielberg

It seems like nostalgia trip is on the trend these past few years; anything ‘old’ feels like something new again. And Steven Spielberg’s ode to pop culture, READY PLAYER ONE is a an apotheosis of that. Based on the book by Ernest Cline and the script penned by both Cline and Zak Penn, about a dystopian virtual world filled with tons of (mostly 80-90s) pop culture endless references to be picked over, there are no other directors more perfectly fit to direct this fanboy service bonanza than the godfather of pop culture himself.

I wasn’t particularly looking forward to this film. I haven’t read the book and from the promos I’ve been seeing, I kinda had a feeling that all those movie and game characters would only be some sort of cameos and be on the screen just in a split second a la WRECK-IT RALPH. So I was surprised to see that the pop culture references were also utilized into the narrative. Ironically that makes it its weakness too.

Growing up immersing myself into the worlds of so many films, I couldn’t help but to smile from ear to ear, and even got misty-eyed, at the mentions of the films I’ve watched and loved. Special mention to that second act of horror homage (holy s#it). I also was, and still am, that “geek” who relishes on pop culture. So seeing all of these characters basically living off of their grasp on that subject really is the exact definition of *the dream*.

It wasn’t that hard to notice its flaws, though. From the pretty generic characters, exposition heavy narrations, to Spielberg’s signature schmaltz (though I wasn’t sure whether it’s more of Spielberg’s or the book’s issues). Strip off all the references, it’s basically ‘boy-meets-world, save-the-world, gets-the-girl’ trope we’ve seen dozens of times. I can also see the general audience, especially the ones who were not accustomed all the references, might feel all the the throwbacks a bit overstuffed. But thankfully Spielberg elevated that flawed story with his penchant for childlike wonder and putting its heart at the right place.

For years, Spielberg has directed some of my wildest dreams (and nightmares); and even just as references, this one’s no exception. Be it driving around with a DeLorean while running from a giant T-Rex or wandering around through the corridors of Overlook hotel. READY PLAYER ONE is a film that works as both a self-critique and a celebration piece about the geek culture and the joy of escapism; a movie about why I love movies. I know it’s not without its flaws, but it’s a blast from start to finish. [A-]

A copy of my review on Instagram.